Adam Jones to leave Ospreys and join Cardiff Blues

Welsh Rugby region the Ospreys have announced that Wales international prop Adam Jones will not re-signing with the region and will be joining Cardiff Blues.

The Ospreys have released a statement saying that they are disappointed that the British and Irish Lion prop has signed with a rival region after 11 years with them.

The statement says that, “We are disappointed with this outcome having worked closely with Adam over a period of many months to find a resolution to the situation that satisfied all parties.”

“An initial contract offer that was unconditional on any Participation Agreement was made as far back as 2012, an offer that was declined by the player. A further unconditional offer was then made in October 2013 which was subsequently declined as he declared his interest in signing a central contract with the Welsh Rugby Union.”

“When the proposed central contract failed to materialise we re-entered negotiations and, in good faith, made a new contract offer to the player which was dependent on the terms of any new Participation Agreement which may be concluded.”

The Ospreys say that their offer to Jones “still remains on the table.”

“While we remain in a difficult situation in terms of no resolution to the Participation Agreement and not knowing our full revenue stream for 2014/15 and beyond, our financial forward planning allowed us to re-contract 16 players as well as completing the signing of eight new players for the coming season.

“Unfortunately, with Adam rejecting unconditional offers that were made prior to the expiry of the previous Participation Agreement, the reduction in guaranteed income post 31st December had a direct impact on our ability to re-contract, particularly with other player commitments already completed.”

Cardiff Blues have confirmed that they have signed Jones who began his career
with Neath in 1998 before switching to the Ospreys in 2003, where he made over
150 appearances for the region.

He won the Celtic League with Ospreys on four occasions in 2004/05, 2006/07,
2009/10 and 2011/12.

Mark Hammett, Director of Rugby at Cardiff Blues, said,”Adam has joined
the Blues determined to achieve something special with us. He is as hungry as
ever for success and a very driven man.

“Adam wants to make a difference and that is exactly why we want him
here. He will be great for the younger players to learn off and is a world class
tight-head prop who will add considerably to the squad we are assembling. He
will improve what we are doing and I’m thrilled he is now a Blue for this season.”

Adam Jones said,”This is about a new challenge for me. At this stage in
my career I want a new environment and to really push myself. “I’ve been
really impressed by the set-up at Blues and the desire to achieve in the coming
years under the leadership of Mark Hammett. It is that ambition and potential
for the future that excites me about this move.

“Obviously I would like to thank everyone at the Ospreys – from
the players and coaches to the wonderful supporters – who have been absolutely
fantastic with me. I wish the region every success for the future.”

“Adam is an iconic figure in Welsh rugby and a key part of the international
set-up for the last ten years. He is one of the very best props in Europe and
when it became clear he was available we acted quickly, in conjunction with
our Director of Rugby, to secure his services over the last 48 hours.

“We hope this signing excites our fans and they see this as fantastic
news. We have strengthened our pack resources this summer with the signing of
internationals Jarrad Hoeata, Craig Mitchell and